Mathematics Program Description

Mathematics is about number operations and algebra, motion and
change (calculus and differential equations), logical analysis,
scientific visualization, structure and geometry, the prediction
of random events (probability), the extraction of useful
information from large sets of data (statistics), the discovery
of the best ways to do things (optimization). It is abstract and
theoretical, and intensely down-to-earth and practical, all at
the same time.

The mathematics major and minor prepare students for exciting
and rewarding work in industry, careers in teaching, and for
advanced post-baccalaureate study. Our calculus, differential
equations, analysis, and probability and statistics courses
enable science students to analyze data and predict outcomes in
static and dynamic situations. Our foundations, discrete math and
algebra courses give students the tools they need for rigorous
logical and structural analysis and a deep conceptual
understanding of quantitative situations. Our mathematics
education courses prepare students to be outstanding teacher
leaders with a deep knowledge of mathematics and the best
practices in teaching. Our general education courses give the
general student the mathematical background she or he needs to
function in life as an educated and informed citizen in an
increasingly quantitative and data-driven world.

The Mathematics Department makes every effort to
offer its courses at times that are convenient for students.
Courses in the mathematics option of the major are generally
offered in the morning. Courses in the mathematics education
option of the major and Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics
are generally offered at night to accommodate the needs of
working students.

The Entry Level Math ("ELM") Requirement and Early Start

The Chancellor's Office of the California State University
maintains an extensive "math success website" at
http://csumathsuccess.org/. It
presents a lot of helpful information about the ELM requirement,
practice materials for the ELM test, etc. Please consult this
website for information about meeting the ELM requirement.

All California State University undergraduates must
demonstrate a reasonable level of proficiency in high school
mathematics before they can enroll in college-level mathematics
classes. The details of this Entry Level Mathematics ("ELM")
Requirement are spelled out in the University
Catalog and on the Testing Office Webpage.
Students may fulfill the ELM requirement by passing the ELM Test,
or by achieving a sufficiently high score on the Math SAT or ACT
exam, or by passing approved courses at a college or university.
Students may take the ELM test more than once to improve their
scores. Please contact the Testing Office to register for the ELM
Test or contact the University Advisement Center (310)243-3538 to
find out more about the ELM requirement.

The CSU also offers an Early Start progam that enables students
who need help in math or English to begin their work during the
summer. Find out more at the Early Start website.

Undergraduate students who do not satisfy the ELM requirement
are placed in our remedial math classes MAT 003 or MAT 009. These
classes review the math that students
need know in order to succeed in our general education math
classes MAT 105 and MAT 131.

You may download an ELM Problem
Book to test your high school math skills and prepare for the
ELM Test before you take it. (It's a big file -- over two
megabytes -- so it may take a little while to download. Please be
patient.) The practice test begins on page eight of the Problem
Book. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader plugin to read the
practice test. Most modern home computers already have Adobe
Acrobat Reader installed, but if you do not you may download it
free of charge from http://www.adobe.com/downloads.html.

Teacher Preparation

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students may prepare for a career teaching
mathematics in high school or middle school by completing an
approved Subject Matter Preparation Program. Completion of such a
program is the first step toward meeting the state's requirements
for a teaching credential. Interested students should consult a
faculty advisor for current information about the requirements
for the Subject Matter Preparation Program. To schedule an
appointment with an advisor please contact Ms. Sheila Wood at (310)243-2203
or visit our Center for Mathematics and Science Education on the
California State University campus in the NSM building, room
A115.

Graduate Students

The Masters Program in the Teaching of
Mathematics is especially designed to enhance the skills of
secondary school mathematics teachers. Interested students should
consult the University
Catalog for more information and requirements for admission,
or contact Ms. Sheila Wood
at (310)243-2203 or visit our Center for Mathematics and Science
Education on the California State University campus in the NSM
building, room A115.

The Center for Mathematics and
Science Education houses several grant-funded projects that
are working to improve mathematics and science instruction in
local schools. Center faculty consult with teachers and
administrators at school sites and bring groups of teachers,
administrators, and students to our campus for meetings, summer
institutes, and collaborative projects throughout the year.

Learning Objectives for the Mathematics Program

The undergraduate mathematics major provides students with a
strong foundation in mathematics, preparing them for success in
graduate study, professional careers in business, industry, and
government, and teaching. Graduates from our program have
developed a high level of skill in the theory and techniques of
modern mathematical analysis: calculus of one and several
variables, linear and abstract algebra, discrete mathematics,
probability and statistics. They have internalized a habit of
logical analysis and rigorous, abstract thinking and are able to
apply their mathematical skills to solve theoretical and applied
problems. Prospective teachers are prepared to explain and
illustrate, in an interesting and engaging way, the techniques of
mathematics and how mathematics is used in modern society. All
students have an overall appreciation of mathematics as a
discipline and a sense of the contributions mathematics has made
to the advance of scientific knowledge and the improvement of
human life.

The Master of Arts in the Teaching of Mathematics program
broadens and strengthens the mathematical knowledge and skills of
high school and middle school mathematics teachers, introduces
them to up to date techniques and results of research in
mathematics education, teaches them effective and research based
mathematics teaching methods, introduces them to mathematics
education as a discipline, and prepares them to serve as teacher
leaders who will spearhead efforts to improve mathematics
instruction in our schools.

Program Assessment

The success of our mathematics program is reflected in our
students' mastery of course material, in the success of our
Bachelor's program graduates in pursuing careers in graduate
study, education, industry, and government, in the success of our
Master's program graduates as teacher leaders who affect
improvement in mathematics instruction in their schools, and in
students' general level of satisfaction with the program.